Insignia holding bracelet clasp



Feb. 22, 1938. I

C. H. KESTENMAN INSIGNIA HOLDING BRACELET CLASP Filed Jan. 2/1956 Patented Feb. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INSIGNIA HOLDING BRACELET CLASP Application January 2, 1936, Serial No. 57,238

13 Claims.

This invention relates to buckles, clasps and like devices for connecting the ends of wristwatch straps, bands, bracelets and similar articles and more particularly to devices in which interchangeable initial letters or other ornamental insignia. may be mounted.

One object of the invention is to provide a fastening device for straps, bands or bracelets having a novel construction and arrangement of elements for mounting and displaying interchangeable initial letters or other character elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extensible clasp of the type indicated comprising a plurality of hinged members adapted to be folded into overlying relationship in a cover member with means in the cover for mounting the character elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated including a movable plate which overlies the character elements to hold them in place and a slidable extension member for adjusting the length of the clasp which latter member overlies the plate and holds it in engagement with the character elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extensible clasp of the type indicated having a releasable detent on the retaining plate which cooperates with the adjustable extension. member to limit the outward sliding movement of the latter. I

Still another object of the invention is to provide a clasping device of the type indicated having an attractive and ornamental appearance, a simple and compact structure, and one which is adapted for use over long periods of time without repair or replacement of its parts.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a 40 preferred form of construction of the device, by

way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing the opposite ends of a. two-part bracelet connected together by the present improved clasping device;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectionalview illustrating the clasp with its pivoted sections in extended relationship and showing the character elements mounted in the cover member and exposed to view through an opening therein;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the clasp illustrated with its sections in extended relationship and showing the cooperating parts for retaining the character elements in position in the cover member;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the clasp illustrated with its parts folded into overlying relationship and showing the ratchet-means for latching the extension member in adjusted position;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional View taken on line 55 of Fig. 4 showing the offset marginal flange and. cooperating plate for holding the character elements in the cover member;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cover member of the clasp showing the holding plate raised to its inoperative position to permit the interchangeable character elements to be mounted in the opening;

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the plate folded into closed position and the extension member in position to be slid into the cover member; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of character element adapted to be set in the opening in the clasp.

The present invention relates generally to an extensible clasp or buckle including a cover member in which interchangeable character elements are mounted to be exposed to View through a suitable opening formed therein. Preferably, the cover member has an o-ifset marginal flange around the opening forming a recess in which the character elements are set and the latter have extended ends which overlie the flange. A plate overlies the character elements and a removable extension member slides in the cover member and bears against the plate to maintain the character elements properly positioned in the recess. The clasp is preferably of the type in which a plurality of sections are hingedly connected to adapt them to be unfolded to lengthen the bracelet and to be folded into overlying relationship when on the wrist, but the clasp itself may take other forms. In the present embodiment of the invention the clasp is provided with a slidable extension member and ratchet or similar latching means for holding it in adjusted position. A releasable detent means is also provided on the plate which cooperates with the slidable extension member to limit-its outward movement with respect to the cover member.

Referring to the drawing, one form of clasp 2 is herein illustrated for connecting the opposite sections 3 and 4 of a two-part bracelet, but it will be understood that other forms of clasps or buckles may incorporate the novel features of the present invention. The clasp 2 as illustrated comprises three pivotally connected sections, namely: a base member I, an intermediate hinged connecting member 8 and a top member or cover 9. These several members may be constructed as stampings struck up from thin sheet-metal stock and curved slightly to conform to the contour of the wearers wrist. The base member I may be constructed in the form of a relatively flat plate I5 having side flanges I I folded upwardly therefrom. The opposite ends of the plate portion Ill extend beyond the side flanges I I and are curled around to form hinge loops I2 and I3 for connection respectively with the end link of one of the bracelet sections 3 and at the other end with the intermediate connecting member 8 of the clasp. The side flanges II have detent projections I4 at their sides which cooperate with the cover member 9 when the parts of the clasp are folded into closed or clasped relationship in a manner as later more fully explained.

The intermediateconnecting member 8 may be stamped from sheet-metal with a rectangular portion I9 having side flanges folded downwardly therefrom. The flanges 20 have extensions at one end pierced with holes to receive a hinge-pin 2| extending therebetween and passing through the hinge loop I3 .on the base member to pivotally connect the two members. At its opposite end the member 8 is bifurcated to provide spaced tabs which are curled over to form hinge loops 23. The main portion of the member 8 is cut away centrally throughout substantially its full length to provide a rectangular opening and the edges of the opening are formed with ratchet-teeth 26 for a purpose as later explained.

The top element or cover 9 is constituted by a relatively flat plate portion 30 having side flanges 3| bent downwardly and then inwardly to form opposite channels or guideways 32. A hinge-pin 33 extends through holes in the flanges 3| adjacent one end thereof and through the spaced hinge loops 23 on the member 8 to pivotally connect the latter to the end of the cover member 9. It will be observed by reference to Figs. 2 and 5 that the sections I and 8 are adapted to be folded one over the other and into the top or cover member 9, the detent projections I4 on the base member I cooperating with the spaced-apart edges 34 of the inwardly-directed portions of the flanges 3| to releasably clasp the members together.

An extension member 35, later to be more fully described, is slidably mounted in the cover member 9 and joined to the end link of the bracelet section 4 by means of a connecting loop 36. As thus far described the clasp is similar to those previously used in the art in that the three sections I, 8 and 9 can be unfolded to extended relationship to permit the bracelet to pass over the hand of the wearer and then collapsed by folding the parts into overlying relationship and into the cover member to shorten the bracelet to engage the wrist. To facilitate the opening out of the pivoted sections of the clasp the plate portion 30 of the cover member 9 is extended beyond the side flanges 3| to provide a finger-grip 31 under which the finger-nail may be inserted.

In accordance with the present invention the cover 9 is adapted to mount interchangeable character elements which may take the form of initial letters 49 or any other desired insignia. To this end the plate portion 39 of the cover 9 is formed with a rectangular opening 4| bounded by a relatively narrow upset ribbed frame 42 shaped to provide an inwardly-directed marginal flange 44 offset from the inner face of the plate. It is to be further noted that at either side of the framed opening 4| the plate portion 39 of the cover 8 is upset or raised above the plane of its lateral edge portions from which the flanges 3| depend. The eifect of this is to provide a raised panel on the top of the cover 9 and a flat recess 43 on the under side of its plate portion 30 for a purpose as later explained. The character elements 4|] may be in the form of initial letters of any suitable design, preferably of a thickness equal to the depth of the recess formed by the offset flange 44, and provided with extended end bars 45 which engage the'flange 44 on opposite sides of the opening 4|. The character elements are thus exposed to View in the opening 4| being held in their proper spaced relationship by the bars 45 the ends of which abut. Any desired combination of initial letters may be set in the recess formed by the offset marginal flange 44, or other suitable character elements, such for example as that illustrated in Fig. 8, may be Substituted. In this latter modification the character element is in the form of a plate 41 of suitable sizeand shape to fit into the recess formed by the offset flange 44 and having ornamental insignia or other embellishment 48 embossed, engraved or otherwise delineated on its surface.

A thin plate 49 of resilient sheet metal is placed in the recess 43 to cause it to overlie the character elements to hold the end bars thereof in engagement with the marginal flange 44. Preferably the plate 49 is pivotally mounted on the hinge-pin 33 in the opening between the spaced bearing loops 23 on the end of the intermediate connecting member 8. For this purpose the end of the plate 49 is reduced in width and curled over to form a hinge loop 50 surrounding the pin 33. The width and thickness of the plate 49 are substantially equal to the width and depth of the recess 43 to form a substantially flat continuous inner face on the cover member 9. Preferably, the plate 49 is convexed slightly more than the plate 39 of the cover member 9 and is resiliently held against the character elements 40 by the extension member 35 which bears against the inner face of the plate and flexes it to engage the bottom of the recess 43 in the cover member 9 above the character elements 40. At its outer free end the plate 49 is slitted and the material between the slits struck up to provide a tongue 5| for a purpose as will later appear.

The extension member 35 is constructed from a strip of sheet-metal cut away to provide a longitudinally extending rectangular opening 52. The metal at the sides of the opening 52 is bent or folded over to form upwardly extending side flanges 53 which are folded inwardly on themselves to provide opposite parallel guiding rails 54. The rails 54 are adapted to closely fit within the channels or guideways 32 of the cover member 9 to hold the extension member 35 bearing against the pivoted plate 49 while permitting the base member 'I and intermediate. connecting member 8 to be folded into overlying relationship. within the cover member 9. The end portion of the extension member 35 forms a crossbar 55 for receiving the connecting loop 36 for joining the clasp to the bracelet section 4. At its inward end the member 35 is provided with a pair of resilient pawls 56 which project upwardly into the opening 25 in the intermediate connecting member 8 when the parts of the clasp are in folded 01' closed relationship. The pawls 56 are formed with curved ends 51 which project out wardly to engage with the teeth 25 on the edges of the opening 25 in the member 8. The pawls 56 arepreferably formed from the material of the member 35 which is cut away to the proper outline and the cut-out portions folded upwardly from the stock. Preferably, the outer ends of the pawls 56 are tapered from their upper to their lower edges to facilitate the folding of the intermediate member 8 into the cover member 9. A

preferred construction of the clasp having now been described in detail, its mode of operation will be next explained.

A purchaser selects a particular bracelet and character elements such as the monogram initials 40, or an element or elements of any other suitable ornamental form, to be mounted in the clasp. To apply the character elements to theclasp the salesperson unfolds the sections 1, 8 and 9 to extended relationship, raises the pivoted plate 49 to the position shown in Fig. 6 and sets the initial letters 49 or other elements in-the recess of the frame 42 formed bythe offset mar ginal flange 44. When initial letters are used their end bars 45 are placed in engagement with the flanges 44 at opposite sides of the opening 4| with the ends of the bars 45 in abutting engagement to hold the initials in proper spaced relation. The plate .49 is then swung downwardly into position until it lies wholly in the recess 43 to overlie the character elements 40 as shown in Fig. '7. The extension member 35 is next .alined with the open end of the cover member 9 as illustrated in Fig. 7 and the side rails 54 slid into position in the guideways 32 on the cover member 9. As the extension member 35 enters the cover member 9 the end of the plate 49 yields to permit the end portion of the extension member to pass over the upstanding tongue. 5|. tension member 35 has been slid into thecover member 9 a sufficient distance to position the end of its opening 52 abovethe tongue 5I- the-end, of theplate 49 springs up to enter the tongue 5| into the opening whereby it forms a stop for limiting the outward movement of the extension member. If,-however, it is again desired to remove the extension member 35 to substitute other character elements 49, or for any other purpose such as repair or replacement of the parts, the resilient plate 49 maybe depressed by the use ofa suitable tool to release the tongue 5|. and the extento the position shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 2 and pressed into the cover member 9 between its side flanges 3| to reduce the length of the bracelet. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the side flanges 29 on the intermediate connecting member 8 lie within the side flanges H on the base 1 member 1 and they detents l4 onthe side flanges ll snap under the edges 34 of the inwardly-directed portions of the flanges 3| on the covermember 9 to latch the members; in folded relationship. With the clasp closed or folded the extension member 35 lies between the intermediate connecting member 8. and the plate 49 with the upstanding pawls 56 projecting into the opening 25 in the intermediate member to engage the ratchet-teeth 26 at the sides of the opening. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the extension member 35 is extended or withdrawn to. its fullestextent and is engaged at one end of the opening 52 .by a

the upstanding tongue 5|. To. contract thelength of the clasp to closely fit the bracelet to thew-rist. the extension member 35 is slid into the cover,

After the exmember 9, the inclined or beveled sides of the relatively stationary ratchet-teeth 26 permitting the resilient pawls 56 to slide over the teeth- When the clasp has been contracted to the proper adjustment the pawls 56 engage the ratchet-' teeth 26 to hold the extension member 35 in fixed relationship with respect to the cover member 9.

- To remove the bracelet from the wrist the finger-nail is inserted under the extended lip 31 on the cover member 9 to withdraw the latter from the base member 1 by releasing the latching engagement of the detents M with the edges 34 of the side flanges 3! on the cover member.

The three pivoted sections of the clasp may then' be unfolded to an extended relationship as showninFigsi'Z and 3 to lengthen the bracelet. As the intermediate section 8 is moved away from the cover member 9 the ratchet-teeth '26 are withdrawn from engagement with the pawls 56 on the extension member 35. The extension member 35 when thus released will slide outwardly of the cover member 9 until engaged at theend of the opening 52 by the upstanding tongue 5 on'the plate 49 which forms a stop. The bracelet may then be removed over the hand; and if desired the extension member 35 may be removed from the clasp by depressing the plate 49 and tongue 5! to permit substitution of other character elements 40 for those in place. The

parts may then be reassembled and the bracelet again applied to use in the manner as previously explained. I

It will be observed that my invention provides an extensible clasp having a novel structure and" arrangement of meansfor mountingand displayingcharacter elements such as initial letters or the like. It will further be observed that the initial letters may be set in proper position. in the cover member of the clasp and the parts of the clasp quickly and easily assembled to main tain the elements in their proper relationship. Still further, it will be observed that the clasp of the present invention has an artistic and ornamental appearance, a simple and compact arraiigeinent of its elements and is capable-of being manually. adjusted to shorten the bracelet by merely sliding the extension member into the cover member.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred form of construction of the device, by

way of example, it is to be understood that var ious modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts of the clasp'with out departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

l. In a device of the type indicated, a clasp member for attachment to one end of a bracelet, said member having an opening therein, interchangeable character elements'extending, across the opening with their ends overlying the marginal portions thereof, a plate overlying the" character elements and cooperating with the clasp member to hold the character elements in position, and an extension member adapted for" attachment to the opposite end of the bracelet and slidable longitudinally in the clasp member to extend the length of the device, said extension member bearing against the plate to hold the latter in engagement with the character elements.

2. In a device of the type indicated, a clasp able character elements extending across-the opening with their ends overlying the marginal member having an opening therein, interchangeportions thereof, a plate pivotally mountedon the clasp member, said plate being rockable about its;

pivot into engagement with the character elements to hold them in place'in the clasp member, and amember slidable in the clasp member and bearing against the plate to hold the latter in engagement with the character elements.

3. In a device of the type indicated, 'a clasp member having an opening therein with an offset flange at the sides of the opening forming a recess, character elements in the recess and having their ends overlying the offset flange, a plate on the clasp member overlying the recess to hold the character elements therein,'and a member slidable, longitudinally of the clasp member to extend the length of the device and bearing against the plate to hold it in position in the clasp member.

4. In a device of the type indicated, a clasp member having an opening therein with an offset flangeat the sides of the opening forming a recess; character elements disposed in the recess with their ends overlying the offset flange, a

flexible plate pivotally mounted on the clasp member and adapted to overlie the recess to hold the character elements in position therein, and an adjusting member slidable in the clasp memher and bearing against the plate to hold it. in position over the recess.

.5. In a clasp, a member having an opening therein and opposite side flanges forming channels, interchangeable character elements exposed in said opening with their end portions overlying the marginal portions of the opening,

aplate overlying the character elements to hold them in place in the opening, and an extension member having side rails slidable in the channels on the clasp member to adapt it to extend the lengthof the device, said last-named memberbearing against the plate to hold it in engagement with the character elements.

6. In a clasp, a member'having an opening therein and opposite side channels, a pin at one end of the member, ;a plate pivotally mounted on the pin, interchangeable character elementsexposed insaid opening with their ends overlying marginal portions thereof, and a member slidable on the clasp'member and having side rails embraced by the opposite channels thereof, said member. bearing against the plate to hold the "character elements in place in the clasp.

7. In an extensible clasp, a member adapted for attachmentto one end of a bracelet and having an opening therein, interchangeable character elements exposed in the opening withtheir ends overlying the marginal portions thereof, a

plate overlying the character elements to hold' overlying the character elements to. hold them in place, an extension member slidable in the clasp member and bearing'against, the plate, and

. means cooperating with the extension member to hold the latter in adjusted position'on' the clasp; member, said plate having detent means operating with the pawl to cooperating with the extension member tov limit.

its outward movement with respect. to the. clasp member. V r

9.; In an extensible clasp, a member having an openingtherein, interchangeable character ele ments exposed in the opening with theirends overlying the marginal portions thereof, a plate overlying the character elements to hold .them in ,place, an extension member slidable in the clasp member and bearing against the plate, detent means on the'plate adapted to engage the extensionmember to limit its outward movement with respect to the clasp member, and pawl-and ratchet means cooperating with the extension member tohold the latter in adjusted positio in the clasp member. I a

10. In an extensible clasp, a cover member, a pluralityof pivotally connected sections hinged to the cover member and adapted to be folded thereinto, said'cover member having an opening formed therein, interchangeable character'xelements exposed in saidopening with their ends overlyingthe marginal portions thereof, a plate overlying the character elements to hold the elements in positionin the cover member, an extension member slidable in the cover member and bearing against the plate, and cooperating pawl-and-ratchet means on said extension member andone of said foldable members for holding the extension memberin adjusted position.

ing opposite side flanges forming guideways and a centrally-positioned opening, interchangeable" character elements exposed in said. opening with their ends overlying marginal portions thereof, a pin extending between the side flanges of the cover member adjacent one end thereof, a plate pivotally mounted on the pin and adapted tolbe positioned to overlie the character elements, an extension member slidable on said plate and hav- 11. In an extensible clasp, a cover member hav ing side rails embraced by the opposite guideways of the cover member, a plurality of pivotally connected sections adapted to be folded into one of the foldable members for holding the extension member in adjusted position.

'12; In an extensible clasp, a cover member having a plate portion and opposite side flanges folded to form guideways, said, plate portion having a channel extending longitudinally thereof with an openingtherein, an offset. flange at the sides of the opening, interchangeable character elements exposed in said opening with their'ends overlying the offset flange, a plate pivotallya mounted adjacent one end of the cover member and adapted to be positioned to overlie the character elements, an extension member slidable on the plate and having side rails embraced by the opposite guideways of the cover member, said extension member having a resilient pawl, and amember pivoted to the cover member at one end and adapted to be'folded into said cover memoverlying relationshipin said cover member, and

cooperating means on the extensionmember and.

her, said pivoted member having ratchet-teeth engageable by the pawl to :permit the extension memberto be slid inwardly into the cover memher to contract thelength of the clasp while 00- 7 said member.

13. In anextensibleblasp, a member havingqa" plate portion and opposite side flanges forming prevent extension of I guidewaya'said plate portion having a longitudinally extending channel with an opening therein and an offset marginal flange surrounding the opening, interchangeable character elements in the recess formed by the oifset marginal flange arranged with their ends overlying the flange, a pin extending between the opposite side flanges on the clasp member, a plate pivotally mounted on the pin and adapted to be positioned in the longitudinally-extending channel overlying the character elements to hold the latter in position,

and an extension member slidable in the clasp member and having side rails embraced by the guideWa-ys at the opposite sides thereof, said extension member bearing against said pivoted plate to hold it in engagement with the character elements in the recess.

CHARLES H. KESTENMAN. 

